English III Course Outline and Expectations

Instructor: Mrs. J. Rochlitz

Contact Information: email – jennifer.rochlitz@gccs.k12.nm.us

School Contact: phone – (505) 285-2651

Course Description: English III is designed to develop skills in critical reading of and writing about
works of literary merit and related ideas. Students will be carefully analyzing a broad and
challenging range of texts working to deepen their awareness and understanding of rhetoric and
the complexities of language.

Performance expectations are appropriately high in my classroom, and the workload is

challenging. Students will study the structure, meaning, and value of representative works.
Students will complete writing assignments that focus on the critical analysis of literature (close-
reading) that help students understand the resources of language (rhetorical devices). Both their
reading and their writing should make students aware of a writer’s purpose, a reader's
expectations, and an author’s argument, as well as the genre conventions and the resources of
language that contribute to effective writing. A significant component of this course requires
students to engage with outside sources in reading, writing, research, and speech.

Objective: In our English III course you will be able to compose essays utilizing rhetorical strategies
with a sophisticated diction choice aimed at mature readers. You as a student will evaluate primary
and secondary sources to synthesize the information gained from each for your own written work.
You will be able to engage, and lead, academic discussion on literature, current events, and
controversial topics. You will also be able to create and produce commercials/videos to
demonstrate your ability to communicate using visual texts for persuasive purposes.

Expectations: English III requires students to complete multiple projects, individual reading and
writing assignments, daily homework assignments, and vocabulary. The workload will require
individual study on your part. Regardless of what you choose to pursue in life after high school, you
will find that you must prepare for your class or job on your own time.

Supplies/ Texts Required:

● A 3-ring notebook (at least 1.5”)
● A set of dividers
● Notebook paper
● Blue or Black Pen daily (no assignments in other colors)
● Highlighters
● USB Flash Drive
● 5 subject notebook.
● 3x5 lined note cards
Required Reading:
Quarter 1 Unit 2 – “Hamlet” play by William Shakespeare.
Quarter 2 Unit 1 – The Crucible by Arthur Miller
Quarter 2 Unit 2 – In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
Quarter 3 Unit 1 – The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Quarter 3 Unit 2 – Visual texts, political caricatures and comics, and propaganda.

Throughout each quarter you will also be reading various forms of poetry, informational text, and
historical documents for deeper analysis and reflection. *Due dates, required reading, and order
of reading subject to change.

Homework: You will be responsible for reading the assigned reading at home. Copies will be
provided digitally through the class Weebly website. For students who do not have access to
technology, hard copies will be provided. You will usually have daily homework; the
assignment is due the next class day.

**Work not printed and brought to class in hard copy form when class begins is considered LATE.
You will be able to submit some assignments electronically and they will be due before class
begins on the due date.

**If you are not in class on the day a major assignment is due, you are still expected to submit it to
before the due date/time, so please plan ahead. If it is an excused absence, this is the ONLY time
that you do not have to turn in a hard copy.

Absences:

 Handouts from class will be available for download on the class website. It is your
responsibility to obtain copies of any notes and work that you missed. For questions you
need to see me before school or during lunch; DO NOT interrupt class in order to get make-
up assignments.

 The number of days you are absent is the number of days you have to complete your missed
assignments.

 If you miss a test or a quiz, you must make it up the day you return. I am here at 7:00 a.m.
every morning for make-ups or you can take it in Mrs. Cunningham’s room during lunch. If
there was no notice of the quiz or test before your absence speak with me to arrange a date
and time to make up the test or quiz.

Late Policy: I do NOT accept late work. If a student knows that he/she is going to be absent, that
student must make arrangements to turn in his/her work prior to the absence. If a student is
absent due to illness, the student must have a homework request slip from the front office to
receive make-up work. You have as many days you were absent to complete the missing
assignments. If the assignment was due the day you missed, you MUST submit it the day upon your
return. If a student is absent for three or more days, it is recommended that a parent request the
student’s work and pick up the work at the high school. .
Classroom Procedures
School policies regarding absences, tardies, phones, and dress code will be followed. Students are
expected to respect and follow all rules contained in the GHS student handbook. Ignorance of the
contents of this document is not an excuse for breaking school or classroom rules.

 Cell phones and other mobile devices need to be turned off and put away at all times in your
pocket, purse, or bag. These devices should not be visible. There may be days in which you
will need to use your phone for a classroom project or research as technology at the school
is in some ways limited.
 Purses/bags must be kept away underneath desks – NOT in your lap.
 Food is not allowed in the classroom, so please plan accordingly. Gum and hard
candy/mints are not allowed. You may have bottled water.
 Tardies – Please get here on time. You need to be in the classroom when the bell rings in
order to avoid a tardy or you will have to report to ISS.
 Going to the Restroom: Please go to the restroom during the passing period. Unless it is an
emergency, you will only be permitted to go the bathroom during a transition point in the
class. Do not interrupt class to ask for permission to go to the restroom
 End of Class: Remain seated until I dismiss you. Even if the bell has rung, please wait until I
wrap up the class in order to avoid missing important final comments or reminders.

Academic Dishonesty (Cheating and Plagiarism)

Cheating or plagiarizing on an assignment or test will result in a zero being recorded for that
assignment or test. In addition, cheating and plagiarism is considered a conduct violation and is
subject to additional disciplinary measures which includes several days in the In School Suspension
room.
You are expected to complete your own work, express your own ideas, and abide by the Grants
High School Student Handbook. Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated under any
circumstances. Plagiarism is the taking of another’s work or ideas and claiming them as your own;
as such, it is literally intellectual theft. Plagiarism includes failure to cite information gained from
outside sources using proper, MLA-formatted documentation. Cheating includes (but is not limited
to) copying another student’s work, asking another student what is on a test or quiz, using cheat
sheets on assessments, collaborating with another student on an individual assignment, providing
your own work to another student for his/her use, and copying and pasting from the internet.

Strategies for Success in English III

 Complete all work on time and with maximum effort.

 Read all literature assigned, and annotate as much as possible.
 Do your reasoning and inferences. Do not look to Sparknotes or Wikipedia to do your
thinking for you.
 Participate actively in all class activities and discussions. Ask questions of your teacher and
classmates frequently.
 Take responsibility for yourself. This includes asking for help or tutoring when you need
extra assistance.
 English III Acknowledgement of Expectations

I ___________________________________ have read and understand the expectations of English III AP

outlined in the course syllabus. I also understand that my grade in this class is contingent
upon my level of effort and my ability to prioritize to complete the necessary assignments
for the class.

______________________________ (Print Student Name)

__________________________________ (Print Parent/Guardian Name)

______________________________ (Student Signature)

__________________________________ (Parent Signature)